IN-SITU LEACHING, A CLEAN TECHNOLOGY FOR THE EXPLOITATION OF THE

MONTERROSAS MINE (ICA, PERU)

Roger Bendez Benavides
E-mail : rnbendezu@yahoo.com
U.N. "San Luis Gonzaga", Ica-Peru
ABSTRACT
The Monterrosas mine was developed using the Vertical Crater Retreat (VCR) method
until 1986, when it was brought to a standstill due to exhaustion of the reserves.
Remaining ores of the order of 1 510 000 tonnes were left in the form of oxides and
sulfides, having a 0.95 % grade of copper, mostly inaccessible.
This document is a summary of a project that would allow recovering ores from the
Monterrosas mine, by an In-Situ Leaching (ISL), the most suitable technology due to its
low cost and versatility as compared to other conventional mining methods. On the other
hand, the characteristic of this technology of producing negligible adverse impacts to the
environment would allow the approval of the Environmental Impact Study and Mine
Closure Plan, which are required for the exploitation.
I.-INTRODUCTION
Nowadays, the economic exploitation of ores with the minimum degree of disturbance are
the major challenges in the mining industry. In this sense, in situ leaching seems to be the
most suitable technology that allows facing such challenges successfully.
In situ leaching, as a natural process, dates back to geological times. The first news on its
exploitation by humans dates from year 150 b.C., in China, where copper was obtained
from natural solutions. In 1937, when it was found that bacteria take part in the leaching
process, the low-grade sulfide leaching was intensified, mainly in leach pads and leach
dumps.
In Peru, the development of the in-situ leaching technology began in the Cerro de Pasco
mine in 1935, in the beginning using mine drainage solutions, and then by washing old
pits. Currently, many mines apply the leaching process, especially in leach pads.
In the case of the Monterrosas mine, due to its inaccessibility, complex metallurgy and
environmental constraints, applying In Situ Leaching has been considered pertinent,
because of its low cost, versatility and negligible environmental impact, compared to the
conventional mining methods.
When applying the process, the most important issues are: to achieve a suitable
permeability of the ore, in this case by applying the VCR method; to attain maximum
recovery of minerals in the shortest time possible through an appropriate distribution of the
leachant throughout the ore; and to effectively collect solutions through boreholes and
underground workings, which would allow preventing economic losses and environmental
contamination.
II.- IN-SITU LEACHING AT THE MONTERROSAS MINE
1.- GENERAL
The Monterrosas vein was mined on its central portion, over a length of 350 m and a depth
of 150 m, using the Vertical Crater Retreat (VCR) method until 1986. A total of 1 456 000
tonnes of copper sulfide ores had been extracted, with 35 000 m of 6.5-diameter

boreholes drilled and 1250 tonnes of explosives used for this purpose. As a result,
remaining, inaccessible and onsite ores have been left, both oxides and sulfides.
2.- LOCATION AND ACCESS (Figure N1 )
The study area is located in the mining region of Canza, 15 km in a straight line N 58 E of
the city of Ica. Politically, it belongs to the district of San Jos de los Molinos, province of
Ica, department of Ica.
It has a pre-arid semi-warm climate, with temperatures ranging from 32C to 10C; a
relative humidity of 80 % to 68 %, and sporadic rainfall of 30 mm per year. It shows gentle
elevations ranging from 1000 to 1300 m above sea level.
3.- GEOLOGY (Figure N1 )
The Monterrosas ore deposit is located in the western part of the Coastal Batholith,
emplaced within diorites and granodiorites in its west and east portions, respectively. The
vein has a general N 60-75 W strike and 75 NE to vertical dip, with a thickness of 2 to
25 m.
Mineralization consists of copper oxides and sulfides with 1.0 % and 0.85 % grades,
respectively. The oxidation zone extends to 25 m in depth and is made up of malachite,
azurite, chrysocolla and cuprite. The transition zone reaches 50 m in depth and is
composed of chalcocite, covellite, bornite and chalcopyrite. Below this zone are found
primary sulfides such as chalcopyrite, chalcopyrrhotite and bornite.
It shows tension and shear fractures, both pre- and post-mineral. The Monterrosas vein
was emplaced in one of those post-mineral faults. As previously mentioned, a large part of
the ore deposit was mined, but remaining, marginal and onsite ores were left.
The current Proven and Probable Reserves (Figure N2) amount to 1 510 000 tonnes and
have a total copper grade of 0.95 %, while the Potential Reserves amount to 1 600 000
tonnes and have a total copper grade of 0.54%.
4.- FACTORS FOR IN-SITU LEACHING OF THE MONTERROSAS VEIN
- Geometry.- Vein-like and tabular.
- Dip.- Ranging from 70 to 90.
- Structure.- Moderate faulting, fracturing and jointing, which would result in minimum
solution losses.
- Wall rock.- Made up of dioritic and granodioritic rocks, of an acidic nature and slightly
disturbed, which would minimize solution losses through seepage or neutralization.
- Hydrology.- Its location in an arid and desert-like zone having minimum rainfall will not
interfere in the process. Creeks located adjacent to the ore deposit only carry water
sporadically.
- Hydrogeology.- Presence of groundwater that could affect leaching has not been
detected.
- Mineralogy.- Due to their crystallographic and textural characteristics and the presence
of abundant pyrite for the formation of acid, the oxides and sulfides will favor
leachability of minerals.
- Ore fragmentation.- The crater blasting will provide a suitable fragmentation: 45 %
under 1 cm and 40 % between 1 and 10 cm and microfractures, which will ensure a
good percolation of the leachant.
- Sulfate solutions.- generated spontaneously through the seepage of rainwater into the
mining workings; they show the minerals leachability, probably with the participation of
bacterial activity.
- Temperature.- A leaching temperature of 30C is anticipated due to the presence of
pyrrhotite.

Percolation.- The anticipated percolation rate is 8.5 l/s/m2, for a bench height of 60 m.
Mass transfer during percolation.- Bench height, contact time, ore permeability, and the
oxidation-leaching cycles will favor physical-chemical interaction.
Leaching background.- Secondary sulfide and oxide ores were commercially leached
in the Banco Mineros Plant, and laboratory testing was undertaken in the Monterrosas
mine.

5.- DESCRIPTION OF MINING ACTIVITIES

5.1. MINING
As shown in Figures N2 and N3, the mine is planned to be leached from the surface
to level 950. This includes the following blocks:
Blocks A,B,C, which represent 415 000 tonnes of oxide ore with a 1.3 % copper grade,
are drilled with down the hole (DTH) boreholes, which will have to be blasted for their
leaching.
Blocks D,E,F,G,H,I,J,K, which represent 195 000 tonnes of secondary ore with a 0.9 %
grade, in the form of bridges and pillars, as in the previous case, remained drilled with
DTH boreholes, and should be blasted for their leaching.
Block L, comprising 900 000 tonnes of primary and secondary sulfide ores that have
not been mined yet and have a 0.85% copper grade. For their leaching, they should be
previously mined using the VCR method, through DTH boreholes, in a 3.0 m x 3.0 m
grid of alternate type and a 6.5" diameter, in conformity with the vein inclination.
5.2. LEACHING (Figure N 4)
The leachant will be applied by dripping in the sulfide zone (level 1010 to 950). This
will be carried out through pipes installed on the pits surface and at 5 m height
intervals within the ore block, in order to achieve an adequate distribution of the
leachant. The resulting pregnant solution will be applied by sprinkling in the oxide
zone (from surface to level 1020), so as to enrich the solution with copper and reduce
its iron content. A percolation rate of 8.5 l/h/m has been anticipated. This operation
would result in a final pregnant solution of 5.0 g/l Cu.
Actions to prevent solution losses through seepage into the wall rock are outlined in
Section 7.9.
The pregnant solution will be sent to the SX-EW Plant, where 99.9 % pure electrolytic
copper will be obtained, and the barren solution will be pumped to the mine to continue
with the leaching cycle.
6.- BALANCE OF FLOWS AND SOLUTIONS
Leaching area: Block (A+ L)
Block Tonnage ( A + L)
Copper metal content 1150000 x 0.95 %
Recoverable copper 10 925 x 60%
Leachant flow: 4 600 m x 8,5 l/hour/m
Recoverable pregnant solution flow: 39 100 x 90 %
Pregnant solution volume per month: 35 190 x 24 x 30
Copper content in pregnant solution
Theoretical copper tonnage per month
Percentage of monthly extraction of fine copper
Time of extraction of the ore: 6555 / 127

4 600 m
1150000 tonnes
10 925 tonnes
6 555 tonnes
39 100 l/hour
35 190 l/hour
25 336 800 l
5. 0 g/l
127 tonnes
1.93 %
5.0 years

7.- ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR IN-SITU LEACHING

7.1. LAND USE
Soils have medium to coarse textures and belong to the edaphologic landscape of the
zone. Land suitable for farming purposes is not observed.
7.2. SEISMICITY
The area is located within a seismic and even volcanic zone resulting from the subduction
of the Nazca oceanic plate under the South American continental plate. Fracturing is deep
and in a NW direction. Most of the earthquakes are of tectonic type, of 7.4 to 8.6 on the
Richter scale, located at 70 km in depth, and associated with periods of 30 years.
7.3. SURFACE AND GROUND WATER QUALITY
There are no surface or ground waters. Therefore, the water required for the leaching
operations will be carried from a distance of 4.5 km.
7.4. AIR QUALITY
Air quality in the operation site will not be significantly affected by the activities, except
drilling and blasting, as well as haulage both because of the ore and because of the
movement of vehicles.
7.5. FLORA AND FAUNA . (Figure N5)
Natural vegetation. It shows very poor vegetation, sporadic presence of some Cereus
cactuses. There are no crops; however, some farmlands are observed at a distance of
10 km.
From Bracks zoogeographic viewpoint, the area belongs to the Pacific Desert Ecoregion
(0 to 1000 meters above sea level). The most observed species is the Geositta Peruviana
(coastal miner).
7.6. NATURAL AREAS AND PROTECTED SPECIES
There are neither natural areas nor protected species in the study area.
7.7. SOCIOECONOMIC SETTING
The camp and administrative office facilities will be located in the mine. The nearest
population center is La Mquina, a hamlet located to the west, at a distance of 10 km, and
having a population of 65 inhabitants.
7.8. IMPACT IDENTIFICATION AND ASSESSMENT MATRIX
Table N1 shows a matrix for the identification and assessment of potential impacts that
might be generated by the process during its preparation, operation and closure stages.
The resulting permanent magnitude of impacts at the end of the mine life is a positive
impact (+ 29), which shows the environmental advantages of the process.
7.9. POTENTIAL IMPACT MITIGATION AND MONITORING MEASURES
Table N2 lists the Mitigation and Monitoring Measures to address the potential impacts
that may arise during the preparation, operation and closure stages.
The most relevant impacts in the In-Situ Leaching process would be those produced by the
infiltration of solutions into the subsoil, which would lead to the contamination of the
surrounding rocks and eventually the groundwater, as well as solution losses, especially
the pregnant solution, which would represent economic losses for the process.

To mitigate and monitor infiltration into the surrounding rock, the following actions should
be taken (Figure N 6):
- Basement waterproofing at the lower levels of the pit.
- Filtration sublevel developed in the footwall, in order to recover infiltration from the
footwall.
- Drilling of DTH boreholes in each footwall, especially in the fault zones, in order to
monitor and eventually recover infiltration solutions.
The number of boreholes could be increased, if solution losses are detected in some
section of the vein.
7.10. CONTINGENCY PLAN
This involves actions to be taken in the following events:
- Infiltration of leachant solutions into the subsoil.
- Discharge or spill of leachant or contaminant solutions into the environment in a violent
manner, as a result of earthquakes, torrential rains, flooding, etc.
- Water hammers or flooding in subsoil.
- Explosions and fires.
7.11. ENVIRONMENTAL COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS
As our country does not have a natural resources inventory and assessment, it is not
possible to make a quantitative and qualitative assessment of the environment. Howerve,
the environmental cost-benefit can be estimated by finding the balance between
productive efficiency and environmental sustainability.
7.12. COMPARATIVE COSTS BETWEEN CONVENTIONAL MINING AND IN-SITU
LEACHING FOR THE MONTERROSAS MINE
From the analysis of the production costs (including depreciation) of the conventional
mining and In-Situ Leaching alternatives, which was undertaken for the Monterrosas
Project, the following data was obtained:
CONVENTIONAL
(Strip = 1 : 1) $/t
Preparation
0.65
Drilling
0.48
Blasting
0.54
Haulage
0.98
Treatment (concentr. & refining.)
2.83
Leaching
Recovery (SX + EW)
Management
0.85
Environment and Safety
1.56
Overhead expenses, sales, etc
1.14
TOTAL $/TONNE
9.13

ISL $/t
0.16
0.44
0.54
0.10
0.63
0.65
0.32
0.21
0.56
3.61

III.- CONCLUSIONS
1.- Remaining, marginal and inaccessible ores from the Monterrosas mine could be
exploited in an environmental and economical fashion through In Situ-Leaching.
2.- The ratio of the environmental and safety costs of the In-Situ Leaching process to those
of the conventional mining methods is 0.21 to 1.51 $/tonne, while the ratio of direct costs
including depreciation is 3.61 to 9.13 $/tonne.
3.- At the mine closure, a positive Permanent Potential Impact of +29 is obtained, which
shows the environmental advantages of the process.
4.- This technique would allow remediation of environmental liabilities by backfilling pits
with tailings and low-grade ores to be incorporated in the leaching process.
5.- Due to its lower costs, great efficiency and versatility, the VCR method used for ore
fragmentation is a complement to In-Situ Leaching.
6.- The completion of this Project, extended to the three million tonnes of potential
reserves, will increase the useful life of the mine, thus contributing to the economic and
sustained development of mining in the region.
7.- Further investigation should continue in order to improve recovery of solutions and
control of the physical-chemical process, and to achieve a suitable distribution of the
leachant within the ore. This would make In-Situ Leaching more viable, both
environmentally and technologically.
IV.- REFERENCES
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

Barlett, R. W. Solution Mining. Amsterdam. The Netherlands. 1998.

Centromin Per. Cerro de Pasco, Reportes y Boletines de Informacin. 1975-1988
Compaa Minera Los Montes. Reportes Internos. Per.1982-1985
Janssens, J y Percival,.P.1980 Vertical Crater Retreat Mining CIM. Kimberley
Junta del Acuerdo de Cartagena, Segundo Seminario sobre Tecnologas Bio e
Hidrometalrgicas. Lima, 1988.
Lang, L y Morrey W. Scientific Blasting for In situ Leaching Proves Successful and
Agnew Lake Mines Technical Marketing Services. Canadian 1974.
ONERN. Perfil Ambiental del Per. Oficina de Evaluacin de Recursos Naturales
Ovalle, A. In Place Leaching of a Block Caving Mine. El Teniente Chile. 1984.
Sotillo, C. y Macha, W. Potencial de la Lixiviacin Bacteriana en el Per. Programa
J/GT/9. Lima. 1975.

TABLE N1:IDENTIFICATION AND ASSESSMENT OF IMPACTS IN THE IN-SITU LEACHING PROCESS

Economy and Commerce

T
+2

T
+1
T
+1

T
+1
T
+1

T
-1

T
-1

T
-1

T
-1

T
-1

T
+1

T
+1

T
+1

P
T
+3 -2
T
-5
T
-1
T
-1

T
+1
T
+1
T
+1
T
+1

T
+1
T
+1
T
+1
T
+1

P
0
P
P
P
-

T
+2
T
+1

T
+2
T
+1

P
T
-3
P
T
-1 +2

T
+3

T
+2

P
-

T
-2

T
+1
T
+1

T
+1
T
+1

P
P
-

T
T
-1

T
+1
T
+1

T
+1

P
+2

P
+2

P
+3
P
+4
P
+2
P
+6

T
+2
T
+1
T
-2
T
-

T
+1

T
+1

Education and Public Health

Employment

P
+2
T
-1

Access and Use of Resources

T
-1
T
-1

Professional Illnesses

Terrestrial Flora, Fauna, Habitat

P
-1
T
-1

Accidents (Personal Insurance)

Ecoregions and Habitats

T
-1
T
+2

Groundwaters

T
-1
T
-1

Surface Soil / Rocks

+1
+2
+3
+4

Seasonal Surface Waters

MAGNITUDE
-1
-2
-3
-4
-5

Social and Physical Infrastructure

M AGNITUDE

Resulting Temporary Magnitude

PHYSICAL

Resulting Permanent Magnitude

ENVIRONMENT
BIOLOGIC
SOCIOECONOMIC

DURATION

Air qualtiy and noise

DU RATION:
Permanente (P)
Temporal (T)
Permanent (P)
NEGATIVE IMPACT
Slight
Moderate
Severe
Very severe
Catastrophic
POSITIVE IMPACT
Slight
Moderate
Beneficial
Very beneficial

Physiography

LEGEND:

SURFACE

P
R
E
P
A
R
A
T
I
O
N

Access roads
Buildings and mounting
Services (water, power)
Movement of materials
MINE

Underground preparation
DTH drilling
Crater Blasting
Movement of materials
MINE

O
P
E
R
A
T
I
O
N

T
-1

T
-1
T
-1
T
-2
T
-1

T
-1
T
-1
T
-1
T
-1
P
-1
P
-1

Leaching
Solution Handling
SURFACE

T
-1

SX-EW
Solution Handling
Water management

T
-2

Transport
SURFACE

Decommissioning
C
L
O
S
U
R
E

P
-1
T
-1
T
-1

Waste ore & materials

P
-1
P
H

Solution neutralization
Roads, Access & Services
MINE

P
+1

Washing & neutralization

Sealing of accesses
Backfilling of ores & materials
TOTAL

P
+1
P
+1

T
-1
T
-1

T
-1

P
+1
T
+1
T
-1

P
+1
P
+1
P
+1

T
-2
T
-1

T
-2

T
-1

T
-1

T
-1

T
+1
T
+1

P
+1
P
+1
T
-1
P
+1

P
+1
P
+1
P
+1

P
+1
P
+1
P
+1

P
+1
P
+2

P
+2

P
+1
P
+1

T
-1

T
+1

T
+1

T
0
T
-1
T
-2
T
-4

P
T
+3 +3
P
+4 T/P
T
+5 +1

P
+29

T
-9

TABLE N2: MITIGATION AND CONTROL MEASURES FOR POTENTIAL

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF IN-SITU LEACHING

Roads and access

Buildings- mounting
Transport
Services
Movement of
materials

Physiography
Soil
Surface waters
Flora and fauna
Air

Rock mass
Physiography
Groundwater
Air and noise
Soils
Surface waters
Flora and Fauna

OPERATION
PLANT
MINE

Development
Sub level 940
DTH Drilling
Crater Blasting
Boreholes in foot wall
Movement of
materials-service
Floor waterproofing

POTENTIAL
IMPACTED AREA

Leaching
Handling of solutions.

Groundwater
Air and noise
Rock mass

SX EW
Handling of solutions
Transport

Soils
Surface water
Air and noise
Flora and fauna

CLOSUR
MINE

PREPARATION
MINE
SURFACE

ACTIVITY

Washing and
neutralization of the pit Groundwater
Soil
Wastes
Physiography
Backfill
Sealing of accesses

MITIGATION /
REHABILITATION

MONITORING
AND CONTROL

Slope stabilization
Soil waterproofing
Diversion and collection canals
Vegetation
Safety and environmental
standards

Slopes and soils

Air, gas, dust and
noise
Meteorology
Flora-fauna statistics
Accidents

Rock stabilization
Ventilation of underground
workings
Use of personal protection
equipment
Disposal of ore and waste rock
Use of water for drilling-blasting
Use of purifiers - transport
Floor waterproofing

Rock mechanics
Water flows
Gases, dust and
noise
Slopes
Humidity temperature
Air flow

Reception -filtration sublevels

Floor waterproofing
Boreholes in foot wall
Valves, gates and regulation
Re-circulation-neutralization plant
Waterproofing of plant floor
Ducts, reservoirs, gates
Air extractors, purifiers
Revegetation
Washing and neutralization with
water, lime and others.
Fill of pits with wastes
Sealing of accesses with
limestone and clay
Blocking of subsidence zones

Flows
Infiltration in
sublevels
Infiltration in
boreholes
Gases
Soils
Dust and gases
Flow regulation
Flows
Solutions
Slopes
Infiltration in
boreholes
Slopes in
subsidence zone

FIGURE N 1
LOCATION PLAN OF THE MONTERROSAS MINE

FIGURE N 2
MAP OF RESERVES

A
C

B
Nv 1130

D
H

Nv 1070
Nv 1050

I
K

LEYENDA
0.85 % Cu.
ZO NA EXPLO TADA
1.3 % Cu.
0.9 % Cu.

Nv 1020

FIGURE N 3
PREPARATION AND MINING

LIXIVIAC IO N
EN O XID O S

Nv 1130

ZO NA EXP LO TAD A

Nv 1070
Nv 1050

R am p a
Nv 1020
Nv 1010

Piq ue

LIXIVIAC IO N D E S ULFURO S

Nv 950

FIGURE 4
IN-SITU LEACHING

FIGURE N 5
ECOLOGICAL MAP

MONTERROSAS MINE

FIGURE N 6

CONTROL AND MONITORING WORK FOR IN-SITU LEACHING

SOMBRERO
VOLADURA VCR
TALADRO DE CONTROL
DE INFILTRACION
Nv 1130
PILAR
Nv 1070

Nv 1020

PUENTE
CAMARA DE
PERFORACION DTH
VOLADURA VCR

Nv 950
Nv 940

CAMARA DE RECEPCION
DE VOLADURA
SUB NIVEL DE INFILTRACION